Beta Pi:
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BETA PI CHAPTER SUSPENDED
If you had not heard, a few days before Reunion, on October 3,
2013, we got the following e-mail from Wynn Smiley, National Director of ATO
Alumni Association:
“Dear Beta Pi alumnus,
During
the last 48 hours an email sent by a Beta Pi undergraduate to potential
recruits has resulted in the young man being suspended from the chapter and the
National Fraternity and University investigating the situation.
The
email content was abhorrent in its description of specific sexual activities in
an apparent and extremely misguided effort to get the reader's attention. The
email became fairly widely distributed and found its way to the National
Fraternity and Vanderbilt administration.
The
incident has highlighted potential recruitment issues with the chapter prompting
the National Fraternity to immediately suspend the chapter. The University has
indicated it will likely issue its own suspension of the chapter.
Given
the content of the email and recent campus sexual assault issues (not related
to this incident or to the chapter), it is possible that the email incident
will prompt attention from the campus community on the chapter.
This
weekend is Homecoming and many of you reading this may be preparing to head to
campus. I wanted to make you aware of a rapidly evolving situation prior to
this weekend's game. Because the chapter is suspended it is prohibited from
conducting, hosting or sponsoring any ATO activities. Certainly, any alumni who
have planned tailgates or other event with alumni should go on as they see fit.
However, you need to be aware that the chapter is in a very tenuous situation
and any additional negative light generated by ATO undergrads or recent
graduates will put the chapter in an even more difficult position.
The
National Fraternity is working with the chapter and administration. The current
chapter president has his hands full at the moment. This letter is intended to
make you aware of a situation. It remains to be seen what the investigation
will discover, if anything more than what we currently know. We will keep you
informed as the process moves forward.
Feel
free to respond to this email with any insights or suggestions you have that
will help us move the process forward.
Sincerely,
Wynn R. Smiley
Chief Executive Officer
Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity”
Wynn R. Smiley
Chief Executive Officer
Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity”
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So, bottom line, the Beta Pi Chapter is suspended.
During Reunion/Homecoming Weekend, the House was locked, with a
sign "CLOSED BY ORDER OF THE UNIVERITY." No activities
happened. There was no Band Party Friday night. There was no Lunch
Honoring Alumni Saturday. There was no ATO Tailgate.
Several of the Actives showed up to the Annual ATO Dinner
(sponsored by Beta Pi Blog), and we got a chance to talk with them.
Here is what I learned. It was the Rush Chairman who sent
out the offensive e-mail to prospective recruits/pledges. The Chapter
policy was that any e-mails sent out were supposed to be cleared and approved
by the WM. That did not happen. The Rush Chair sent out the rogue
e-mail without first obtaining approval. We know that the e-mail he sent
eventually reached University officials, and ATO National officials.
Consequences: the Actives told me
that the boy who was Rush Chair has been "de-brothered." Wynn
Smiley said he was suspended. Wynn Smiley - who has power to suspend -
has suspended the Chapter, for how long we do not know.
What was in the e-mail? Wynn Smiley's
e-mail speaks for itself. The Actives told me the e-mail bragged of
offering alcohol to potential ATO rushes, with sexually explicit references to
female favors. The reason for the suspension appears to be
University policy, and the law prohibit alcohol in fraternity houses. The
boy who sent the e-mail broke no laws, but the e-mail apparently advertised
that rushee's would be served alcohol, that is a violation of University policy
- enough to justify suspension.
The Actives said "everybody does it"- which is all well
and good. The difference is they got caught. They sent out two
letters:
CHAPTER LETTER TO THE VANDERBILT COMMUNITY #1:
“To the Vanderbilt community,
Last week, an email was sent out to potential new members
by a former rush chair
of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. The email was in incredibly poor taste, and the
reprehensible content and language are neither condoned nor tolerated by brothers
of the fraternity. The fact that the message spread beyond the initial recipients is
regrettable. That the e-mail was disseminated in a manner intended to represent the fraternity is even more regrettable.
of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. The email was in incredibly poor taste, and the
reprehensible content and language are neither condoned nor tolerated by brothers
of the fraternity. The fact that the message spread beyond the initial recipients is
regrettable. That the e-mail was disseminated in a manner intended to represent the fraternity is even more regrettable.
The brother who sent the e-mail did so without the prior
approval or consent of any brother in the house, and subverted a screening
process that had been implemented to prevent such e-rnails from being sent out.
For his actions, that former member has been officially removed from the
fraternity. Neither the national Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity nor the local Beta
Pi chapter endorses or tolerates anything in that e-mail and we have severed
any and all ties to him.
No brother saw or approved of that message before it was
sent out. No brother
wants to be represented by the inappropriate and frankly classless content
included. No brother, in clear conscience, found any part of this incident acceptable and so removing the member immediately was the only solution that the brothers saw fit.
wants to be represented by the inappropriate and frankly classless content
included. No brother, in clear conscience, found any part of this incident acceptable and so removing the member immediately was the only solution that the brothers saw fit.
We, the Beta Pi chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity,
would like to use this
space to offer a formal apology to the entire Vanderbilt community and anyone who may have encountered the offensive and unacceptable material. The text does not represent the views of any members past, present or future, and the actions of one former member should not reflect upon those still affiliated with the fraternity.
space to offer a formal apology to the entire Vanderbilt community and anyone who may have encountered the offensive and unacceptable material. The text does not represent the views of any members past, present or future, and the actions of one former member should not reflect upon those still affiliated with the fraternity.
The e-mail sent out to potential new members was
unacceptable, and this fraternity is taking steps to move past this regrettable
incident. We move forward with a deserved black eye, but with the fullest
intentions of doing everything possible to restore our status in the Vanderbilt
community.”
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CHAPTER LETTER THE VANDERBILT COMMUNITY #2:
“To the Vanderbilt community,
An email circulated around campus this week claiming to
represent the men of the Beta
Pi chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. The letter was inappropriate, uncalled for,
and embarrassing to all the members of the house. The former member who wrote the
email has been removed from the fraternity.
Pi chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. The letter was inappropriate, uncalled for,
and embarrassing to all the members of the house. The former member who wrote the
email has been removed from the fraternity.
That email does not represent our fraternity and does not define
us. It is not symbolic of
the values we hold or who we are as a brotherhood.
the values we hold or who we are as a brotherhood.
We have raised thousands of dollars for the Nashville Humane
Society, the Nashville
Rescue Mission and the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The Beta Pi chapter has won
numerous awards for excellence in scholarship, leadership and philanthropy from the
national Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
Rescue Mission and the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The Beta Pi chapter has won
numerous awards for excellence in scholarship, leadership and philanthropy from the
national Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
Our membership includes a number of campus leaders who have had
a real and lasting
positive impact on the Vanderbilt community. Our members include:
positive impact on the Vanderbilt community. Our members include:
·
Two
Chancellor's Scholars
·
Two
Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars
·
President
ofVandy Fanatics
·
Co-chair
of the Vanderbilt Programming Board
·
Managing
Editor of the Vanderbilt Political Review
·
Two
members of the Student Alumni Board
·
A
former editor of The Vanderbilt Hustler and Vanderbilt Student Media
·
President
of Model United Nations
·
Two
Fred Russell- Grantland Rice Scholars
·
Members
of the Dean's List
·
VUceptors
·
A
published author
·
Captain
of the Mock Trial team
·
Members
of the Multicultural Leadership Council
·
Former
President of the Vanderbilt Cancer Society
·
President
of the Society of Hispanic Engineers
·
Members
of the Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma,
Phi Sigma Pi Honor
Societies
·
Alternative
Spring Break Site Leaders
·
Members
of Vanderbilt Student Government
·
A Student Body Representative in the University Athletic Committee
·
Vice
Commodore of the Vanderbilt Sailing Team
·
The
Treasurer of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Fraternity
·
Members of the Collegiate Leadership Vanderbilt (CL V) Organization
·
Members of the Student Hillel Programming Board
·
Eagle
Scouts
·
Vanderbilt
Campus Dining Student Manager
·
Vanderbilt Student Life Guards
·
A
Sinai Scholar
·
Vanderbilt Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Society members
·
Members
of the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-med fraternity
·
Members
of the Masala Sace Indian cultural
organization
·
Member
of the Bhangradores
cultural dance team
·
An
Analyst in the Vanderbilt Investment Club
·
Vanderbilt
Student Ambassadores
·
Founding
and current members of CKI
·
VSVS
team leaders and members
·
AED
peer mentors
·
Study Abroad students
·
The
Program Coordinator for the Vanderbilt Pre-Dental Society
·
V
-squared engineering mentors
·
A
recipient of the Kyser Miree Memorial Scholarship for Engineering
·
A
Robert C. Byrd Scholar
·
A
member of the Anthropology Student Association
·
National
Merit Scholars
·
An
I & M Brown
Memorial Scholar
·
Teaching
Assistants
·
Executive Board members of Dance Marathon
The Beta Pi chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity is a collection of leaders, scholars
and men who care deeply for the values instilled both by the fraternity and Vanderbilt
University. The email circulated has embarrassed us and shattered our collective image,
but it does not represent us. We will move forward from this incident, and look forward
to continuing to lead this campus in our numerous and beneficial endeavors. Thank you.”
and men who care deeply for the values instilled both by the fraternity and Vanderbilt
University. The email circulated has embarrassed us and shattered our collective image,
but it does not represent us. We will move forward from this incident, and look forward
to continuing to lead this campus in our numerous and beneficial endeavors. Thank you.”
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LETTER FROM ACTIVE AUSTIN BROWN:
It was great visiting
with everyone last night; thanks for the hospitality. We would greatly
appreciate everyone's assistance advocating on our chapter's behalf.
I have attached the
formal apology and "what Vanderbilt ATO really is" for everyone. We
encourage anyone who contacts Dean Bandas or the Office of Greek Life to use
these as a reference to substantiate claims on our behalf. I know Boss Stein
said he would make a call, too. Would you help me make sure he does that? I
hope we can get him to make a call before he leaves the country.
A phone call, letter
addressed to the Dean or Office of Greek life, or email to administrators in
those offices would be greatly appreciated.
E-mails or letters can
be sent to the following people:VU Station B #351508
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37235-1508
Kristin Shorter, Director of Greek Life- kristin.shorter@Vanderbilt.Edu or 615- 322-2048
James Crawford, Coordinator of Greek Life- james.crawford@Vanderbilt.Edu or 615-322-2048
Office of Greek Life
2301 Vanderbilt Place
PMB 351522
Nashville, TN 37235-1522
I suppose the chancellor
could be copied on either of these, too.
Thanks so much. Please
give me a call if you have any questions or concerns.
Can't wait for next
year's Homecoming.
Love and Respect,
Austin”
Love and Respect,
Austin”
Active Austin Brown asked me to spread the word, anyone who could
write letters on behalf of the Actives, please do. Use the information
contained in Letter #2. E-mail is suggested. Be sure to send a copy
of the e-mail to Wynn Smiley at mailreplies@atonhq.org , and a copy to Austin Brown at austin.c.brown.1@vanderbilt.edu , and a copy to me at lasimonsw4law@aol.com.
Such is life. This is a suspension, not a revocation of the
Charter.
Here is a copy of my letter, feel free to use it as a template:
Dear
Dean Bandas:
I am a graduate of Vanderbilt University, Arts &
Sciences, Class of 1975, and I am an Alumnus of Alpha Tau Omega
Fraternity. I also publish a blog “Beta
Pi Blog” for ATO Alums, we have a readership of 131 ATO Alums and friends of
ATO. I have notified my readers of this situation.
I live here in Nashville, Tennessee where I am an attorney in private practice.
I was dismayed and angered to learn that the Rush
Chair sent an offensive e-mail to prospective rushee’s. Wynn Smiley, National Director of ATO
informed me that the “e-mail
content was abhorrent in its description of specific sexual activities in an
apparent and extremely misguided effort to get the reader's attention . . . The
incident has highlighted potential recruitment issues with the chapter
prompting the National Fraternity to immediately suspend the chapter. The
University has indicated it will likely issue its own suspension of the
chapter.”
I have served on the ATO Alumni Association. I keep
up with the Active Chapter, and I have met these boys personally over the last
few years. I spoke with several of them
during Homecomning Weekend. I can
personally vouch for their moral character, and their quality as Vanderbilt
students.
While I am aware that the e-mail contained abhorrent
content, and (I am told) contained references to alcohol (which I know is
against the law and University policy), the offensive e-mail was sent by one
individual, the Rush Chair, who did not obtain prior approval of Chapter
leaders as he was supposed to have done – in other words, he acted in
“rogue” fashion.
I urge you to please be judicious, and merciful in
rendering punishment to the entire chapter.
The wrong-doer has been disassociated from ATO. I understand Wynn Smiley
has also suspended the Chapter, and in my opinion the suspension is just, but any
suspension of the Chapter should be for a short period of time. A long suspension would have the consequence
of no new members during this Spring, which could cripple the Active Chapter financially – and such harsh punishment
would be unjust, under the
circumstances.
I should also say – and I feel very strongly about this - while I
understand sensitivity is required “post Football scandal” – these ATO Actives
are a fine group of young men. No crimes
have been committed. A University policy was violated. I certainly hope whatever punishment the
University decides to hand out is both measured and merciful. A result which is unjust and too harsh, which
cripples the Active Chapter financially, might have the unintended consequence
of causing ATO Alums, of which there are many, to reconsider their future
financial contributions to The Vanderbilt University. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with
you by telephone, if you have time.
Sincerely,
Lawrence
A. Simons
VU
Class of 1975Cc: Kristin Shorter, Director of Greek Life, kristin.shorter@Vanderbilt.Edu cc: James Crawford, Coordinator of Greek Life, james.crawford@Vanderbilt.Edu cc: Wynn Smiley, National Director ATO, mailreplies@atonhq.org
Cc: Austin Brown, austin.c.brown.1@vanderbilt.edu
Cc: Lawrence A. Simons, lasimonsw4law@aol.com.
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BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of
October 7, 2013, the Blog roster stands at 115 Tick-a-lo men online who have
e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 16 ATO
Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail
addresses, please share!
VTL,
Larry
Simons
Beta
Pi, 72
